Arsenal problem highlighted by Gary Lineker as Premier League title U-turn made

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Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have both reversed their pre-season predictions that Arsenal would once again finish as Premier League runners-up. The shift comes as the Gunners lead the table past the halfway mark of the campaign, holding a six-point advantage over nearest rivals Manchester City .

Manager Mikel Arteta has navigated through injury problems to guide his squad back to the top, though there remains an air of nervousness among supporters at the Emirates Stadium. The club have found themselves in this position previously with Pep Guardiola's side in pursuit, and fans are acutely aware that any hint of complacency could prove costly.

Nevertheless, numerous pundits now believe Arsenal are destined to claim the championship. Reflecting on their initial forecasts during The Rest Is Football podcast , Lineker remarked: "I said challenging but not champions [at the start of the season]. A lot would depend on how [Viktor] Gyokeres does. Alan [Shearer], you said challenging for the title but just fall short of winning the league.

"Micah [Richards] the same, challenging but not champions, one or two injuries and they will struggle like last season. They've had one or two injuries but they haven't struggled like last season."

Turning to their revised title predictions, Lineker declared: "I actually think Arsenal win the title. I think I can't see them slipping up too frequently, I think they're a very, very strong team."

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However, he highlighted a lingering problem that Arteta still needs to address, saying: "Exceptional defensively as well and they'll always find a goal, even though I don't think necessarily they've solved yet their number nine issue. But they are getting goals from elsewhere, so I think they'll still be ok for the title."

Shearer echoed this view but also expressed concerns about Gyokeres and his limited goal tally so far, commenting: "Yeah he [Gyokeres] hasn't scored the goals that they sort of signed him for, but he has brought something different to the team that has maybe freed others up and others are doing better. But I guess he will wanna, I know he got his goal against Chelsea in the Carabao [Cup] semi-final, but he will want his numbers to improve in the second half of the season."

The striker position has remained a worry for Arsenal, with many believing a reliable goalscorer has been the crucial difference between them and Man City. The signing of Gyokeres, who netted prolifically in Portugal, was seen as the Gunners' response to Erling Haaland .

Yet that adaptation hasn't materialised for the 27-year-old, who has managed just eight goals this season across all competitions. Two of those eight came from the penalty spot, raising questions about the Swedish international's natural presence in the box.

Although an injury setback for Gyokeres hasn't aided his rhythm, there's a feeling that greater productivity in front of goal is required. A close-range strike against Chelsea demonstrated some of that predatory instinct he needs, and there are hopes he can use it as a springboard for further goals.

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"Yes, for a lot of the things that he's done, it's exactly the same," Arteta said when asked if Gyokeres is contributing more than goals to the team. "I think he had a really good performance [against Chelsea]. Overall, I think what he brings to the team.

"It's a lot, sometimes I understand that people cannot appreciate it, we certainly do that and on top of that he got rewarded with a goal."

The attacking options have received a welcome boost recently, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both returning to action following lengthy spells on the sidelines. The duo provide something marginally different to Gyokeres, who tends to occupy centre-backs and threaten the space in behind.